Collapsible Pocket Door Frame With Folding Cross Braces for Fast Installation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prefabricated pocket door frames require assembly, mechanical fasteners, and professional expertise for installation, and cannot be collapsed to fit within an 8-foot package for efficient shipping and storage.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible pocket door frame design with hingedly connected transverse cross braces that allow expansion from a collapsed to an installed position in a single movement, without additional fasteners or expertise, using materials like wood, polymers, or metals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pocket door frame is preassembled to ensure proper alignment and orthogonality, then installation quality is improved, but the frame cannot be collapsed to fit within an 8-foot package for efficient shipping and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The cross braces are divided into two separate components (first cross brace component and second cross brace component) that can be collapsed against each other during shipping, then assembled at the installation site to form the complete cross brace structure
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connections are pre-configured during manufacturing to ensure that when the cross brace components are assembled on-site, they automatically achieve the correct orthogonal alignment and orientation without requiring additional adjustment or fasteners
2Length of moving object
If the pocket door frame is collapsed to fit within an 8-foot package, then shipping and storage efficiency is improved, but assembly and mechanical fasteners are required during installation
Solution Approach 1:
All necessary connection features, hinged connections, and alignment mechanisms are pre-configured during manufacturing of the cross brace components, so that on-site assembly requires only simple connection without additional fasteners or complex adjustment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The hinged connections and component geometry are designed to self-align and self-assemble during installation, eliminating the need for professional expertise, additional fasteners, or complex assembly procedures
3Stability of the object's composition
If the pocket door frame uses traditional assembly methods with multiple fasteners, then structural stability is improved, but installation time and professional expertise requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hinged connections and component interfaces are pre-engineered during manufacturing to provide inherent structural stability and alignment, eliminating the need for additional mechanical fasteners and complex assembly steps during installation
Solution Approach 2:
The cross brace components are designed to self-stabilize and self-align through their hinged connections and geometric configuration, providing frame stability without requiring professional adjustment or multiple fastening operations
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient packaging and predictable, easy onsite installation with perfect alignment, fitting within standard 8-foot containers and shelves, eliminating the need for assembly and professional help.
Implementation Method 1
the proximal end of the first cross brace component hingedly connected to the distal surface of one of the first jamb component and the second jamb component, the distal end of the second cross brace component hingedly connected to the vertical spine
Data Source
AI summary
A collapsible pocket door frame is disclosed having a vertically extending vertical gap jamb component, the vertical gap jamb component having a vertically extending first jamb component that is oriented parallel to a vertically extending second jamb component, each of the first jamb component and the second jamb component having a vertically extending proximal surface and a vertically extending distal surface, a vertically extending vertical spine component, the vertical spine component arranged parallel to and spaced apart from the vertical gap jamb component, a plurality of pairs of transverse cross braces, each one of the pair of transverse cross braces having a first cross brace component and a second cross brace component, wherein the each one of the pair of transverse cross braces can be extended from a collapsed position to an installed position.